Gordon Stakes - Glorious Goodwood Day 1

2.45 Glorious Goodwood
Betfair Gordon Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3YO only)
Winner £39,739

Pick: Artic Cosmos (win)

Corsica: Has been most progressive and a model of consistency, winning 2 handicaps, a listed race and the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy last time this year; Showed a willing attitude and isn’t done improving yet, so penalty not an off-putting factor.

Simon De Montfort: Won first 2 races in great style last year before running well below best in Gran Criterium; Has doubled up in listed/group company this year, coming with late runs each time, and not to be underestimated for in / form team although impossible to know how he will run on his first start for Al Zarooni team.

Arctic Cosmos: Another massively improving horse, who bolted up in AW handicap at Kempton prior to fine second to Monterosso in Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot; That the highest grade form in this race, and may have more to offer, so leading player here.

Circumvent: Useful 2-y-o when winning 3 times, especially a French Group 3 at Saint Cloud; Ran well enough on reappearance behind Simon De Montfort (needed the run), before finishing last in Dante (overmatched and led too fast); Probably only fair chance to show best form this season when holding on under top weight in Heritage Handicap at July Festival last time, but did it well nevertheless and worth chance.

Dandino: 4 from 4 this year, raising game yet another notch when getting better of London Stripe with trademark swooping late run in King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot; Seriously progressive however that came off just 91 and this is a much harder race, so will need to be at least 10lbs better again.

Dubawi Phantom: Won fair maiden in good style (2nd has won since and was thought highly enough to try Group company); Then went on to run well in succession of races (including Craven Stakes) but is exposed now.

Fencing Master: Has been desperately disappointing based on promise of his Dewhurst second this year, despite his seventh in the Guineas being a respectable run; Just going backwards when beaten at odds – on last time, and while he has ability, seemingly has lost it.

Film Score: Impressive maiden winner who was beaten under 2 lengths and ahead of Fencing Master when fourth to Afsare in Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot; Will like 12 furlongs on that evidence, but more needed and preference for Simon De Montfort out of Godolphin two.

Rebel Solider: Winner of 2 out of his 3 starts, and looked pattern class when springing clear in last 3f at York last time; No telling how good he could be but that off only 88 and this 10 times tougher.

Theology: No fireworks on his first three starts, but penny has really dropped this year; Career best when beaten inches in 2m Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, and form reads well; Drop back in trip might not help his cause but expected to run well nonetheless.

Very Good Day: Best effort came at this course when third to Derby third Rewilding in Cocked Hat Stakes; Made hard work of landing odds in Newbury maiden next time and well behind Corsica at Newmarket since, with 3lbs pull around not expected to alter placings.

VERDICT: An established St Ledger trial and race that has produced Group 1 class horses on the last 2 runs. There is no telling how good this could turn out to be, seeing as it looks to be the strongest renewal beforehand for some time. ACTIC COSMOS has improved with every single run this year and arguably holds the best form courtesy of his second in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot.